North India gears up for harsh winter day on January 9; dense fog & cold wave to hit travel and daily life
PTC Web Desk: Northern India is gearing up for a harsh winter day on January 9 as bone-chilling temperatures combine with dense fog, causing major disruptions to travel and daily life. At the same time, southern India is preparing for heavy rainfall due to a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of very dense fog in the morning over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi. Similar low-visibility conditions are expected in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, where some areas could experience nearly zero visibility.
As per a report in India Today, Weather analyst Devendra Tripathi, founder of Mausam Tak, said while eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar might see a slight improvement in fog by Thursday afternoon, sunlight will remain weak. “The Sun will barely shine through the clouds. It won’t feel like a bright day,” he said, describing the conditions as a “foggy Sun.”
Temperatures are forecasted to stay well below normal across the north. According to Skymet, cities, including Delhi and Jaipur, have already recorded the month’s lowest temperatures, and no relief is expected soon. Cold wave conditions are likely to continue in isolated areas of Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana.
Meanwhile, the south is preparing for heavy rainfall. A deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal is moving west-northwest and is expected to reach the Sri Lanka coast by the evening of January 9. This system is likely to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall along coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal.
Tripathi also noted that the weather system could influence inland regions. Light cloud cover has been spotted over Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. While rainfall may not occur in these areas, the clouds are expected to keep temperatures lower by blocking sunlight.
Authorities have advised fishermen to remain ashore as strong winds of up to 60 km/h are forecasted along the southern coast.
- With inputs from agencies
